Low pressure packer mandrel



March 26, 1963 B. HANNER, sR 3,082,825

LOW PRESSURE PACKER MANDREL Filed April 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llll INVENTOR.

March 26, 1963 I A. B. HANNER, SR 3,082,825

LOW PRESSURE PACKER MANDREL Filed April 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 3,082,825 LOW PRESSURE PAGKER MANDREL Arthur B. Hanner, Sr., PA). Box 15, Oil City, La. Filed Apr. 12, 1960, Ser. No. 21,716 3 Claims. (Cl. 166-485) This invention relates to a means for lifting gas, oil, water or the like from wells such as wells which have been drilled in the ground.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which will facilitate the removal of various substances such as fluids, or gases from wells such as oil wells, gas wells, water wells, or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packer for such an apparatus which can work with small compressors so as to permit the pumping operation to be economically and easily carried outand wherein a natural lift is utilized in order to further increase the efficiency with which the material flows from the bottom of the well to containers such as tanks or reservoirs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a low pressure packer mandrel which can be used for economically lifting gas, oil, water or the like from wells and wherein flow from such wells can be boosted, the present invention utilizing a simplified construction so that complicated parts are eliminated wherein there will be a low initial cost and a long efficient life for the mechanism, the present invention being adaptable for either continuous or intermittent flow operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a low pressure packer mandrel which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description:

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, with parts broken away in section, illustrating certain constructional details of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the upper shield, and with parts broken away in section.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modification of the connecting means.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view of the guide member for use with the modification of FIGURE 8.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a casing, FIGURE 1, while the numeral 11 indicates a tubing which is arranged within the stationary casing 10, and the tubing 11 may be reciprocated or moved up and down by a suitable conventional mechanism in the usual manner as for example when gas, water, oil or the like are being withdrawn from the ground. The tubing 11 includes a plurality of cylindrical sections such as the sections 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 which are coupled or connected together as for example by means for bushings or connectors 17.

The section such as the section 13 is provided with a gas jet 18, FIGURES 1, 2, and 5, and the jet 18 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart apertures or openings 19 therein and there is also provided an inlet port 20 which communicates with the interior of the section 13.

The numerals 21 and 22 indicate a pair of resilient cups which are mounted on the section 14 and these cups 21 and 22 may be held in place by retainers 23, the outer peripheral portions of the cups 21 and 22 engaging the inner surface of the casing 10.

Mounted within the section 14 is a support member 24 which is provided with a lower port or passageway 25, and the interior of the support member 24 is hollow so as to provide a chamber 26. A valve seat 27 is mounted in the lower portion of the support member 24, and there is provided a curved recessed portion 28 in the member 27 for at times receiving a movable ball or valve 29, the ball 29 being movably mounted in the chamber 26, and wherein there is also provided a stop pin 30 for limiting upward movement of the ball 29, FIGURE 1.

The section 15 of the tubing 11 is provided with upper and lower rows of apertures or openings 31 which are augul-arly disposed, and there are also provided upper and lower annular shields 32 which surround the openings 31, the shields 32 being shaped to include inner spaces or passageways 33 which are in communication with the openings 31 and also in communication with the space between the casing 10 and the tubing 11 above the member 22. The upper and lower shields 32 are interconnected .by means of a plurality of vertically disposed spaced parallel hollow tubes or rods 34 and the tubes 34 serve to establish communication between the passageways in the upper and lower shields 32.

Referring now to FIGURES 8, 9, and 10 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modification wherein a bushing 35 may be used for connecting sections such as the sec tions 15 and 16 of the tubing together. The bushing 35 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart ports or openings 36, and a shield 37 of annular formation is mounted on the bushing 35 in alignment with the openings 36. The shield 37 is provided with an inner passageway 38 therein that communicates with the openings 36.

As shown in FIGURE 10 for example, there is also provided a guide member 39 which includes an upper tapered surface 40 that is provided with a plurality of spaced apart inclined slots 41, for a purpose to be later described.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an improved lower pressure packer mandrel which is especially suitable for use in the withdrawal of fluids such as oil, water, gas, or the like from wells.

The present invention is adapted to operate in deep or shallow wells and the parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes, and the materials may be of the type which is not affected by oils, gases, or the like. The lift nipples or section 15 of the present invention will fit packers of different sizes or configurations and various types of tools can be used in conjunction with the present invention such as well testing tools, cementing tools, sand pump pistons, perforation cleaners, production packers, ushers, testers, and the like. The cups 21 and 22 serve to provide an automatic seal so as to pack 01f and hold pressure on the side that the lift is pointed so as to function as a casing check valve. These members 21 and 22 may be made of resilient material which is resistant to oil and gas and the cups may be reinforced with spring steel wires or the like. The present invention is adapted to be used in conjunction with other types of conventional gas or fluid lift theories or practices so that for example flowing well production can be boosted, and wherein the parts are constructed so that they will have a long wearing life with a minimum amount of maintenance requirement and wherein a high degree of safety is assured. The

casing is stationary, and the tubing 11 is adapted to beworked up and down by a conventional mechanism in order to bring about the withdrawal of the fluid or gas from the well. As the tubing 11 moves downwardly for example, fluid such as oil will pass upwardly through the passageway 25, as for example when the ball 29 is in the position of FIGURE 1 and the ball 29 is mounted for movement into and out of open and closed relation with respect to a seat 23 so that a column of oil can be lifted on each stroke. Gas from the well can pass up through the casing 10, and then pass through the jet 18 so as to enter the interior of the section 13 through the medium of the port 20. The openings 31 are arranged at an angle so that with the hollow tubes 34 connecting the shields 32 together, and with the shields provided with the passageways 33, it will be seen that the material which passes inwardly and upwardly through the openings 31 will be given a spiral movement which is advantageous or desirable.

The nipples of the present invention are adapted to force oil or water out of the ground at a much lower pressure than has been possible heretofore and also corrosion will be kept down to a much less degree than with high pressure. In order to install the nipples, it is neces' sary to run the tubing in the casing with the nipples attached to the packer of the users choice so long as the packer will seal off the tops and bottom of the well.

The nipple or section 15 is installed as close to the top of the packer as is possible, and the nipple 13 is installed directly below the packer and for best results the packer is lowered to fluid level. If the casing is set open ended, it is advisable not to let the packer pass out at the bottom of the casing. If the casing is set through the producing area and shot out or ripped in a production zone, it is necessary that none of the openings in the casing be passed since this will cause a loss in pressure between the casing 1t} and section such as the section 16, and the packer should not be stationed at a point below the openings or perforations in the casing. The casing must be sealed off at the top by the casing head with two valves on either side of the casing head so as to leave a space to build pressure between the casing 10 and tubing 11. If the well has suflicient pressure and volume to support the flow, no compressor is needed.

In use, the tubing 11 may be closed or left open above ground level, and as the fluid or gas pressure rises it will compress the gas between the top of the fluid and the bottom of the packer. Fluid may also rise in the tubing 11 through the tail pipe sections 1-2 and 13 below the nipple such as the nipple 13 on up through the stand valve which includes the ball 29 into the spinner nipple l5 and then through the spinner jets and into the cavity or space between the casing 10 and tubing 11. The rise of fluid and gas will build up pressure in the cavity between the tubing and easing.

When the tubing 11 is opened to a pressure above ground level pressure, the fluid in the tubing 11 will be released so as to cause the fluid to rise. Pressure above the fluid in the cavity between the tubing and casing will push the fluid down through the spinner jets 31 which causes the fluid to spin in a counterclockwise upwardly direction so as to create a vacuum which will open the valve 29, as for example as shown in FIGURE 1 and then the gas jet 13 begins to load so as to pass fluid with the gas which also pus es the fluid up through the stand valve assembly including the support member 24 to the spinner jets 31 where it begins to spin and this mixes oil, water and gas which lightens the load.

When the fluid contained in the cavity between the casing and the tubing has been pushed back into the tubing, suflicient gas has been compressed to keep the fluid spinning.

If the Well does not have sufiicient pressure to flow itself than a compressor is set at ground level which pressures the cavity between the casing and the tubing. When the fluid is exhausted in this cavity the air or gas pressure going in this spin creates sufficient vacuum with the help of the gas jet 18 to draw oil up through the tail pipe or section 112 a distance as for example a distance of sixty (60) feet.

The jet shields 32 consist of a ring which may be secured as by welding to the nipple 15 and each of these shields or rings have a cavity 33 therein so that gas can enter under the shield and then enter the opening 31 which may be arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The top and bottom shields 32 may have substantially the same construction and these shields are connected by spinning tubes 34 which connect the cavities 33 in the top and bottom shields together and in the event that any of the openings at the bottom of the shields become clogged, the tubes 34 will supply the necessary jet. The nipple 13 may be approximately ten (10) inches long and may have an opening drilled straight in and there is provided the shield 18 which serves to keep trash from clogging this opening which is indicated by the numeral 42. There are no moving parts for the nipples and the only part that moves is the ball 29 in the stand valve.

In the modifications of FIGURES 8, 9, and 10, a metal ring or member 39 has slots 41 cut diagonally on the upper slope40 and this member is placed between sections such as the sections 15 and 16 and is held in place by the coupling 35, the coupling 35 being perforated as at 36 and it will be seen that this modification accomplished the same result as the arrangement shown in FIGURE 6 so that it will be seen that various modifications are possible. The present invention has been made as a nipple assembly so that it will fit any type or make of packer.

In actual practice, the fluid can rise from the well and go through the tubing above the packer and can then go through the fluid jets 31 and out into the casing and this is done while no pressure is being put on the well. However, the rise of fluid under the packer compresses the gas ready to be discharged through the jets when fluid moves in the mandrel. The packer operates on low pressure so that small compressors will suffice which will permit the operation to be carried out inexpensively and easily. When pressure as for example pressure from ninety to one hundred and fifty pounds due to the amount of accumulation of fluid in the reserve, is put on the, casing 10, the valve 29 will open, as shown in FIGURE 11 so that compressed gas will go through the jet, and will be mixed with the fluid which will give some natural lift and the spinning motion which is imparted to the fluid and gas will provide increased lift also. Thus, due to the provision of the angular openings 31 or due to the provision of the slots 41 and their associated parts, the fluid is given a whirling motion which is advantageous for the previously described reasons.

In actual practice, the tubing 11 can be closed or left open depending upon the operators choice. If the well is operating on its own pressure, then it would be advisable to close the tubing 11, but if by compressor, then in most cases the tubing 11 should be left open above ground level as it will allow more fluid to rise above the ball 29.

The rise of fluid below the packer cup 21 (with tubing 11 opened or closed) compresses the gas to operate the gas jet 18 which in turn determines the load on the spinner jets 31 and the passage of fluid spinning upward through the tubing 11. If the load gets too heavy, the spinner jets 31 will slow down and allow the gas jets 18 to inject more gas into the fluid going up through the tubing 11. This spinning action pulls the fluid up through the tail pipe and the amount of pressure contained in the bottom of the well (when operating on its own pressure) or (the amount of pressure contained between the tubing 11 and the casing 10 above the packer when the compressor is used) determines how fast the spinning action is.

The pin 30 is used in non-standard packers that have no seat for regular stand valves, pin keeps the ball from going out through the tubing 11. If a standard size tubing 11 is used, then a packer can be used with a seating nipple and a regular stand valve which is sometimes referred to as a drop valve and these are readily available, and this valve has screwed on top of it a cage that prevents the ball from going on up the tubing 11 when the spinner jets 31 are at work.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

What is claimed is:

l. In a device of the character described, a vertically disposed well casing, a tubing arranged in said casing and including a plurality of cylindrical sections coupled together, a pair of resilient cups mounted on one of the sections of tubing, said cups being adapted for sealing contact with the inner surface of said casing, and said cups having closed ends which are adjacent each other, a support member positioned in said one section of tubing and having a hollow interior which defines a chamber, there being a passageway in the lower end of said support member, a valve seat contiguous to said passageway, a ball mounted for movement into and out of open and closed relation with respect to said valve seat, a stop pin above said ball, a section of tubing above said first named section which is provided with upper and lower openings therein, upper and lower annular shields surrounding said last named section adjacent said openings, there being passageways in said shields connected in communication with said upper and lower openings and with the annular space between said casing and said tubing above said cups, and hollow tubes connecting the passageways in said upper and lower shields together.

2. In a device of the character described, a vertically disposed well casing, 21 tubing arranged in said casing and including a plurality of cylindrical sections coupled together, a pair of resilient cups mounted on one of the sections of tubing, said cups being adapted for sealing contact with the inner surface of said casing, and said cups having closed ends which are adjacent each other, a support member positioned in said one section of tubing and having a hollow interior which defines a chamber,

there being a passageway in the lower end of said support member, a valve seat contiguous to said passageway, a ball mounted for movement into and out of open and closed relation with respect to said valve seat, a stop pin above said ball, a section of tubing above said first named section of tubing which is provided with upper and lower openings therein, upper and lower annuiar shields surrounding said last named section of tub ing adjacent said openings, there being passageways in said shields connected in communication with said upper and lower openings and with the annular space between said casing and said tubing above said cups, and hollow tubes connecting the passageways in said upper and lower shields together, said openings being arranged angularly in said section of tubing.

3. in a device of the character described, a vertically disposed well casing, a tubing arranged in said casing and including a plurality of cylindrical sections coupled together, a pair of resilient cups mounted on one of the sections of said tubing and said cups having closed ends which are adjacent each other, said cups being adapted for sealing contact with the inner surface of said casing, a support member positioned within said one section of tubing and having a hollow interior which defines a chamber, there being a passageway in the lower end of said support member, a valve seat contiguous to said passageway, a ball mounted for movement into and out of open and closed relation with respect to said valve seat, a stop pin above said ball, a section of tubing above said first named section which is provided with upper and lower openings therein, upper and lower annular shields surrounding said last named section against said openings, there being passageways in said shields connected in communication with said upper and lower openings and with the annular space between said casing and said tubing above said cups, and hollow tubes connecting the passageways in said upper and lower shields together, said openings being arranged angularly in said sections of tubing, there being an apertured member in one of the lowermost sections of the tubing.

Ragiand Dec. 10, 1929 Breukelman Nov. 10, 1959 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A VERTICALLY DISPOSED WELL CASING, A TUBING ARRANGED IN SAID CASING AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CYLINDRICAL SECTIONS COUPLED TOGETHER, A PAIR OF RESILIENT CUPS MOUNTED ON ONE OF THE SECTIONS OF TUBING, SAID CUPS BEING ADAPTED FOR SEALING CONTACT WITH THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID CASING, AND SAID CUPS HAVING CLOSED ENDS WHICH ARE ADJACENT EACH OTHER, A SUPPORT MEMBER POSITIONED IN SAID ONE SECTION OF TUBING AND HAVING A HOLLOW INTERIOR WHICH DEFINES A CHAMBER, THERE BEING A PASSAGEWAY IN THE LOWER END OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, A VALVE SEAT CONTIGUOUS TO SAID PASSAGEWAY, A BALL MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF OPEN AND CLOSED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID VALVE SEAT, A STOP PIN ABOVE SAID BALL, A SECTION OF TUBING ABOVE SAID FIRST NAMED SECTION WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH UPPER AND LOWER OPENINGS THEREIN, UPPER AND LOWER ANNULAR SHIELDS SURROUNDING SAID LAST NAMED SECTION ADJACENT SAID OPENINGS, THERE BEING PASSAGEWAYS IN SAID SHIELDS CONNECTED IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID UPPER AND LOWER OPENINGS AND WITH THE ANNULAR SPACE BETWEEN SAID CASING AND SAID TUBING ABOVE SAID CUPS, AND HOLLOW TUBES CONNECTING THE PASSAGEWAYS IN SAID UPPER AND LOWER SHIELDS TOGETHER. 